Be gentle with me. I DID try the search button! Looking to fly my bike from the UK to Cape Town, then ride up to Kenya. My son (who has a GXR...boo hiss...garlic etc) would like to ride with me, but even he realizes that it is not exactly the best bike for the trip.... Is it possible to buy a suitable (GS of course) bike in Cape Town for him and ride it up to Kenya? What happens about insurance etc as we would be non SA residents? Not worked out yet what I would do with the bike once in Kenya, but will worry about that later. Looking to do it this September if possible. Any advice? Ideas? Thanks Sean
Buying a bike in Cape Town-Riding to Kenya
- Thread starter SeanC
- Start date
You won't have a problem selling it on, really easy if you register it there but you need to know a lot about magendo to do that!
Shenzi, Thanks. I have lived here for many years so understand the (sad) ways of the world. Already have people desperate for the Fundoro I ride here!
Just thought- should I have put this in the Travel advice forum? Mods please move it if you think so. Thanks Sean
Just thought- should I have put this in the Travel advice forum? Mods please move it if you think so. Thanks Sean
If you have lived there for many years and you are into BM bikes mimi na fikiri wewe a na jua mimi!
Dale
Registered user
Sean,
Finding a used bike here (in Cape Town) is no issue. The market is certainly not as large as in the UK, but there are enough bikes to choose from.
Look here to get an idea of what's available and prices.
www.autotrader.co.za
http://www.bmwmotorrad.co.za/bikes/2ndHand/default.asp
http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/forums/sale-0
Bikes from dealerships obviously carry a premium. Right now there seem to be a fair number of bikes on the used market as the wannabees trade up to the 800GS.
The range of accessories available here is much less than in the UK, so if you want to buy a bike and add lots of fancy bits, it going to cost you pleanty. Best to look for a ike with the bits you need already fitted.
Most GS owners in SA use BMW's in house insurance - good rates and very good service. There are a few guys in the local club who are foreigners, so doubt you would have a problem. They are based in Joburg. Call them on +27 11 5417545 or let me know and I will give them a call on your behalf.
Let me know it you need any other info.
Regards,
Dale
Shenzi.
Sadly only came in to bikes recently- Blame my Japanese rice-rocket ridng son! He lives in UK so at least he gets to ride on ROADS! Had a lovely ride around the back of the Ngong hills this weekend. I am sure you can imagine it. Early start to the day. Temperature still cool. The insane picking your way carefully through Ngong town - matatus / goats / cows/ people/ overloaded bicycles/ chaos - but such FUN!! Then almost no-one around for miles and you remember why you live here!
Sadly only came in to bikes recently- Blame my Japanese rice-rocket ridng son! He lives in UK so at least he gets to ride on ROADS! Had a lovely ride around the back of the Ngong hills this weekend. I am sure you can imagine it. Early start to the day. Temperature still cool. The insane picking your way carefully through Ngong town - matatus / goats / cows/ people/ overloaded bicycles/ chaos - but such FUN!! Then almost no-one around for miles and you remember why you live here!
Dale
Many thanks for that info. Will check the sites.
My plan is to buy an 1150 GS/GSA in UK in Jul /Aug cos I want to have it here in Kenya. Hope I can afford one with all the kit on it so my son's SA bought bike can be more basic.
Will keep you updated and thanks again. Sean
Many thanks for that info. Will check the sites.
My plan is to buy an 1150 GS/GSA in UK in Jul /Aug cos I want to have it here in Kenya. Hope I can afford one with all the kit on it so my son's SA bought bike can be more basic.
Will keep you updated and thanks again. Sean
Really super around the Ngongs, flew hanggliders from there and went every which way on bikes. So many fantastic rides, the other day I was reminiscing about dropping into the Rift from Ngong and going to Suswa, that is a super day out!
I bought my HPN Paris-Dakar (which is a Rallye modified R80G/S) in Cape Town from a guy who builds them down there, fully authorised by the factory (www.hpn.de) you'll find his stuff at www.gsworkshop.co.za that's my red and white Marlboro bike in the pics by the way!
His name is Altus Pienaar and telephone is 00277 264 43300, he may be able to source a good one or check it out on your behalf, modify it for your trip etc etc
He's also available on email at [email protected]
He's a perfectionist so what ever you get will be good and good value.
Good luck
Phil
PS Mine is currently in Tanzania ready for my next installment, been to Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania but a whole lot of Africa to see yet!!
His name is Altus Pienaar and telephone is 00277 264 43300, he may be able to source a good one or check it out on your behalf, modify it for your trip etc etc
He's also available on email at [email protected]
He's a perfectionist so what ever you get will be good and good value.
Good luck
Phil
PS Mine is currently in Tanzania ready for my next installment, been to Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania but a whole lot of Africa to see yet!!
Phil,
Many thanks for that excellent contact! I will certainly check it out. Did you have any problems registering it (I assume you are not from SA or resident?) or getting insurance or a carnet?
If you are "just next door" in Tz make sure you come by this way and say hello. I am in Nairobi at Wilson Airport so easy to find.
Best wishes,
Sean
Many thanks for that excellent contact! I will certainly check it out. Did you have any problems registering it (I assume you are not from SA or resident?) or getting insurance or a carnet?
If you are "just next door" in Tz make sure you come by this way and say hello. I am in Nairobi at Wilson Airport so easy to find.
Best wishes,
Sean
Sean.
Carnet was absolutely no problem from SA AA. But remember to value your bike as low as possible as you have to stump up a percentage of the value to get the Carnet. Carnet not essential as you can always get tempry importation certificate at the border if any one is bothered, but it does make the journey much smoother.
Registration not a problem either.
I did come into Wilson end of last year after being hit by a truck in Mbya, broken collar bone and buggered knee. Now all healed but waiting on my driveshaft.
If I'm in your neck of the woods I'll call in!
Phil
Carnet was absolutely no problem from SA AA. But remember to value your bike as low as possible as you have to stump up a percentage of the value to get the Carnet. Carnet not essential as you can always get tempry importation certificate at the border if any one is bothered, but it does make the journey much smoother.
Registration not a problem either.
I did come into Wilson end of last year after being hit by a truck in Mbya, broken collar bone and buggered knee. Now all healed but waiting on my driveshaft.
If I'm in your neck of the woods I'll call in!
Phil
Phil
By any chance did Flying Doctors bring you in? If so then almost certainly I would have been involved in that. (Good or bad - just blame ME!
).
On another forum here Dale from CT sent me the link to the AA for a carnet. They state that they need two weeks to get it organized (although the actual issue only takes 2 days) then it has to be couriered to you from them. Is that what you did?
Cheers
Sean
By any chance did Flying Doctors bring you in? If so then almost certainly I would have been involved in that. (Good or bad - just blame ME!
). On another forum here Dale from CT sent me the link to the AA for a carnet. They state that they need two weeks to get it organized (although the actual issue only takes 2 days) then it has to be couriered to you from them. Is that what you did?
Cheers
Sean
Hi Sean,
I was airlifted by the AMREF Flying Doctor service in a King Air, brilliant service from door to door!
Just as an aside I was insured with International SOS
http://www.internationalsos.com/en/ourresources_airambulances.htm
It was pretty reasonable cost for a years med-evac service. Used them twice now (once straight into intensive care) and has been just brilliant . . . It doesn't cover hospital bills but will get you there.
Carnet: I was in RSA when I got the first one and keep extending it year on year from the UK!
Any other problems issues mail me on [email protected]
All the best
Phil
I was airlifted by the AMREF Flying Doctor service in a King Air, brilliant service from door to door!
Just as an aside I was insured with International SOS
http://www.internationalsos.com/en/ourresources_airambulances.htm
It was pretty reasonable cost for a years med-evac service. Used them twice now (once straight into intensive care) and has been just brilliant . . . It doesn't cover hospital bills but will get you there.
Carnet: I was in RSA when I got the first one and keep extending it year on year from the UK!
Any other problems issues mail me on [email protected]
All the best
Phil
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